Weatherizing the homes of low-income home energy assistance program clients: a programmatic assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to assess the relationships between two United States (US) federal-level programs that support low-income households, the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The study area for this project was Boston, Massachusetts, which is a representative of large northern urban areas in the US. Data were collected for three groups of households that received both weatherization and LIHEAP assistance and for one control group that only received LIHEAP assistance. The clearest impact of weatherization assistance on changes in LIHEAP assistance is shown in decreases in eligibility for high-energy benefits post-weatherization. A further statistical test also suggests that weatherization has a significant impact in reducing the overall needs for LIHEAP subsidies. However, it cannot be concluded that weatherization reduced the need for standard LIHEAP subsidies. Households in the sample that did drop out of the LIHEAP program had relatively higher incomes, younger household heads, and fewer years in home than those who stayed in the program. These demographics suggest that the households that dropped out of the program were more likely to experience income increases to make them ineligible for the program and were more likely to move out of the study area. Additionally, for no group for no time period did LIHEAP benefits cover all primary heating fuel bills. Thus, the overall conclusions of this study are that weatherization decreased the need for high-energy benefits but did not lead to low-income households relinquishing the need for standard LIHEAP benefits.